No Place for Hate: tolerance group honors local school counselor

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 7, 2002

Lynne Luberger, a counselor at Hunters Creek Elementary has received a regional teaching award from the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith.

The award honors teachers, administrators or support service staff members for creating special school climate in which students reject prejudice and respect diversity.

"This is not my award. The entire school has earned this award," Luberger said. "It is through the devoted commitment of the entire Hunters Creek Elementary staff that we have created a safe, respectful school environment."

A recognition ceremony luncheon will be held May 15 at Tony's in Houston to honor Luberger and others chosen.

"It is so gratifying to be able to teach the students how to get along with one another," Luberger said. "It's a nice feeling to be able to allow the children to do their thing without offending anyone."

Luberger is one of only three teachers in the seven-county region served by the Region IV Education Service Center to earn a 2002 Teacher Excellence Award from the ADL's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute, a national anti-bias school education and training project.

A counselor for 11 years at Hunters Creek Elementary, she uses the TRIBES TLC process to create a school culture of caring and acceptance. The Tribes agreements help students understand and respect others. Luberger also teaches developmentally appropriate lessons to kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Topics range from mutual respect and bullying to peer pressure and popularity issues.

Luberger's guidance lessons are supplemented by a monthly parent newsletter, The Counselor's Connection. Earlier this year, she, other teachers and parents organized special "Peace Week" events at the school. Parent volunteer Emily Weingeist composed a Peace Rap, which was broadcast during morning announcements and sung in music classes.

As part of the program, students and their families were asked to sign the Hunters Creek Creed, a personal resolution promoting personal responsibility and respect for others. More than 250 families signed the resolution of respect.

By becoming a recipient of the Teacher Excellence Award, Luberger will receive a $500 stipend, an engraved plaque and a one-day workshop sponsored by the A World of Difference Institute.

In related news, Hunters Creek Elementary and Memorial Middle School have been recognized by ADL's regional office for designation as No Place for Hate campuses. The two schools are among 10 schools in Region IV to earn the special designation.

During its first year, the No Place for Hate campaign encouraged schools to apply which had

developed programs or creative strategies that promote understanding and respect for diversity.

In the weeks after Sept. 11, Memorial Middle School students encouraged tolerance and respect for other faiths and cultures. Many students also signed personal pledges to promote diversity and respect for others.

On-campus ceremonies recognizing the No Place for Hate school designations were held May 8 at Memorial Middle School and will be held at Hunters Creek Elementary at 8:30 a.m. Monday,